Captain Ekitike and a Triple Gunners Backline – The FPL Squad for the Round
What number of The Reds selections can you accommodate into your squad this week?
Jurgen Klopp's side have notched back-to-back wins , with a red-hot striker in Hugo Ekitike preparing for a fixture with Wolverhampton Wanderers that are heading towards a historically poor top-flight campaigns in history.
If you've held onto a few of your Africa Cup of Nations wildcards and have the cash to spend by replacing the unavailable Manchester United's playmaker, then Liverpool options ought to be your top priority.
The ideal squad is chosen based on present FPL prices to comply with a £100m spending limit, as if you were playing a Free Hit.
What Was the Performance of Our Recent Squad?
Captain Manchester City's striker (a massive haul) and the in-form duo of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) plus Hugo Ekitike guided the squad to a solid score – with a bonus a double-digit performance from Antonee Robinson from the replacements.
This Week's FPL Team of the Week for Matchday 18
Keeper and Defenders
David Raya, Arsenal, goalkeeper, £6m – vs Brighton (H).
The North London side's backline suffered a minor wobble following an injury to their Brazilian defender, however, they've secured two clean sheets in their past four , with nine already with less than half the season gone.
The Emirates Stadium outfit have let in goals in just a handful of home games this season. Those goals were scored by Erling Haaland, a long-range effort from Richarlison and a late goal from Tolu Arokodare.
Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) and Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), the Gunners – vs the Seagulls (H).
This week features a triple-up on the Gunners' defence.
They are the best defence statistically, with a clean sheet in over 50% of their fixtures, they take on a Brighton team who have not found the net in two consecutive outings.
The South Coast club have scored just nine goals from eight fixtures away from home.
The Dutch defender remains a steady choice every week , possessing greater goal threat now he is the full-back role.
Hincapie has registered 'defcon' points over his last four starts, featuring a pair of shutouts.
Virgil van Dijk, the Reds, £5.9m – vs Wolves (H).
I'd pick half a dozen Liverpool assets this week if possible.
Wolves failed to score once again this season during a recent 2-0 home loss to Brentford.
They have a paltry 9 strikes all season, including two on the road. This is a very secure shutout prospect imaginable.
Omar Alderete, the Black Cats, £4m – vs Leeds United (H).
Regardless of the Yorkshire club's improved offensive form – including the performances of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – I'm backing a Sunderland clean sheet on home soil.
This would secure their third consecutive , with Alderete establishing himself as a prime value defensive pick. Managers can start him regularly across many fixtures, thanks to his potential for defensive contribution returns.
Midfielders
Mason Mount, United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle (H).
The English midfielder should play a key responsibility at Manchester United over the coming fixtures, with Bruno Fernandes suffering an injury.
Recently, Erik ten Hag's team registered the best expected goals (xG) in the league by a significant margin – 8.78 versus the next best Leeds United's 5.68.
Their opponents are a Newcastle United team that has been poor away from home – with just a single victory from seven attempts.
The former Chelsea man may inherit a large share of the injured star's creative responsibilities, particularly on set-pieces, and might feature behind the striker.
Florian Wirtz, Liverpool, £8.1m – vs Wolves (H).
Wirtz is poised for a big haul and a fixture at Anfield versus the struggling Wolves presenting an ideal time for it.
He has delivered returns across his past four fixtures – a pair of assists and one defensive contribution display.
Over that time he has created 10 chances, the highest of any his teammates, while his expected goals stands at 0.88.
Morgan Rogers, Aston Villa, £7.2m – vs the Blues (A).
With 30 points across two gameweeks, Rogers' current form cannot be overlooked.
He is Villa's talisman, with an ability to scoring a strike from half a yard of space in the box.
A fixture at Stamford Bridge could be viewed as a tough proposition, but Villa have emerged victorious at that ground twice during the past three seasons.
Forwards
Hugo Ekitike (Captain), the Reds, £8.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
Due to facing an abysmal Wolves side, having no rivalry for a starting spot, and having bagged a five-goal haul in three games, Ekitike gets the captaincy this week.
Erling Haaland, City, £15.1m – vs Nottingham Forest (A).
There's no omitting Haaland, although with him having a tricky away game in this round, the choice is to bet against him for captaincy.
Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m